A Penn State Nittany Lion statue is seen in the courtyard of Penn State College of Medicine in Summer 2016. The statue is in focus toward the right side of the image. Out of focus in the background, green plants and trees are visible in the courtyard.

Education and Training Programs

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute prepares the current and next-generation clinical and translational science workforce to address the nation’s healthcare needs.

Through a variety of educational discussions, lectures, training programs and workforce development initiatives, the Institute provides resources to students in health-related programs, graduate students, residents, fellows, faculty, research coordinators, technicians, fellows and other members of the clinical and translational science workforce and those interested in learning more.

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Educational Programs

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s Early-Stage Investigator Training Program (KL2) provides a supportive interdisciplinary environment for junior faculty scholars to acquire the skills and experience needed to become successful, independent clinical and translational scientists. This is accomplished through coursework, mentored research and career development programs.

KL2 funding provides 75 percent protected time for research; funds for research supplies; tuition support for up to three courses per semester; and travel.

The Clinical and Translational Science Institute Predoctoral Training Program (TL1) provides tailored educational opportunities for graduate and medical students to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for conducting interdisciplinary clinical and translational research.

The flexible curriculum includes courses in statistics, epidemiology, clinical research methods, bioinformatics, research ethics and scientific communication combined with training in team-based research.

PhD and MD/PhD students pursuing research in health-related disciplines and medical students opting to take a year out of their clinical studies to pursue research training full-time are eligible to apply.

The Translational Science Fellowship (TSF) provides graduate and medical students with the opportunity to gain select knowledge and skills in clinical and translational research in a summer experiential program.

Targeted to early-stage learners, the program includes training in both foundational skills like research design and data analysis and professional skills such as communications, ethics and teamwork. Examples of real-world clinical and translational research are used throughout the course.

Independent and facilitated active group learning is emphasized and didactic presentations are kept to a minimum. Opportunities to practice skills are integrated throughout the program using case studies, simulations, computer-based modules and small group discussions.

Innovations, an initiative of Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute held in partnership with the Center for Medical Innovation, supports the translation of biomedical research by providing early-stage education and strategic guidance to faculty, staff and students during the ideation phase of technology development.

The four-week course, designed specifically for the biomedical researcher at Penn State, guides interdisciplinary teams through a hands-on process of understanding the market for their technology or idea utilizing the iCorps (National Science Foundation/National Institutes of Health Innovation Corps) methodology of customer discovery.

Dual-Title PhD in Clinical and Translational Sciences

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute has established a dual-title PhD program in Clinical and Translational Sciences. This multidisciplinary program brings together a range of courses, from statistics and epidemiology to scientific communication and bioinformatics. The coursework, combined with a required internship experience, faculty mentoring and exposure to institute tools and resources, gives students the broad base of knowledge needed to launch a career in clinical and translational science.

Certificate in Translational Science

This one-year program leads to a Graduate Certificate in Translational Science. The program consists of 15 credits of coursework in biostatistics, epidemiology, research design and ethics and is available for graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, faculty, and other healthcare professionals to enhance a successful career in translational science.

Undergraduate medical, post-graduate and nursing students; residents; postdoctoral fellows; faculty and support personnel from within the University, including nurses, research nurses and study coordinators; and other students from the community, including healthcare and public health professionals, who have a bachelor’s degree, may apply as non-degree students to pursue the certificate.

Master of Science in Public Health Sciences (MS PHS)

The Master of Science in Public Health Sciences is a 30-credit program comprising didactic and interactive components and mentored research. The program includes a core curriculum in clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, clinical trials, and outcomes research assessment. Courses are devoted to protection of human subjects, critical appraisal of the literature, individual project design and development, project presentation, scientific communication and translational research methods. Students undertake a research project that they design, develop and conduct during the program in close association with a mentor in their clinical discipline and an adviser.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Master of Public Health students learn population-based methods for planning, executing, analyzing and disseminating research results, and gain first-hand real-world working experience in the practice of public health. The Master of Public Health degree program incorporates most of the requirements of the Master of Science in Public Health Sciences degree program, while drawing on relevant courses offered in the Departments of Health Policy and Administration and Biobehavioral Health in the College of Health and Human Development at University Park.

Individual courses

Undergraduate medical, post-graduate and nursing students; residents; postdoctoral fellows; faculty and support personnel from within the University, including nurses, research nurses and study coordinators; and other students from the community, including healthcare and public health professionals who have a bachelor’s degree, may apply as non-degree students to take individual courses.

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Training

ACRP recommends the successful completion of two foundational training modules:

Good Clinical Practice: An Introduction to ICH GCP Guidelines

Ethics and Human Subjects Protection

Research coordinators using services of the Clinical Research Centers and coordinators participating in multi-site clinical trials must complete these two modules within six months of being identified as part of a research study team.

ACRP Enhanced Investigator Training Modules are provided at no cost to faculty and staff who have been provided a user account through the institutional site license.

IRB Human Research Training

Penn State requires completion of the Human Subjects Protection course (initial and continuing education every three years) for individuals involved in the conduct or oversight of human subjects research.

Additionally, if conducting Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated research, investigators and staff must also complete Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course along with the above courses. Training is offered through the Collaborative Institutional Training (CITI) at the University of Miami.

Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute offers a variety of seminars and other training events.

Bench to Bedside and Beyond (B3)

Bench to Bedside and Beyond (B3) is a series of educational discussions covering a variety of topics on the translational science continuum. The goal of the series is to provide participants with the tools necessary to play a vital role in accelerating discoveries benefiting human health regardless of the role or position within the organization. The bimonthly series is accessible via video conference to multiple campus locations. The series covers a broad topical areas of interest to investigators, faculty, clinicians, staff, students and the community.

Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD)

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) group hosts a bi-weekly seminar series throughout the fall and early spring. Each seminar stands alone, so individuals are welcome to attend as schedules permit. The seminar series rotates locations between University Park and Hershey, and is available via videoconference to both locations.

Discover

Discover is a series of programs covering topics that highlight collaborative interdisciplinary research opportunities and resources at Penn State and beyond. Discover is hosted quarterly as part of the Research Quality Assurance Lunchtime Lecture Series and also sponsors workshops on special topics for targeted audiences. The programs are held at Penn State College of Medicine and available via videoconference to University Park.

Research Quality Assurance Lunchtime Lecture Series

The Research Quality Assurance Lunchtime Lecture Series is a monthly program highlighting the research endeavors of Penn State investigators. The program is held at Penn State College of Medicine and available via videoconference to University Park.